Did You Know?

Crowds come to Mangawhai

Did you get the feeling that Mangawhai was ‘the place to be’ this summer break? People and cars poured into the area with many businesses and services struggling to keep up. With limited parking available at the Heads beach and elsewhere, people pushed the boundaries by parking literally anywhere, despite parking tickets being issued! 

Leabourn’s Shuttle Service was not as well patronised as hoped but it probably takes time for people to change their habits. 

Gala Day, organised by the Domain Society, was an outstanding success, with record numbers attending and proceeds exceeding expectation. So much hard work goes into organising the Gala Day, with volunteers putting in a huge amount of energy, so with the generous support of local businesses the Domain Society is able to continue improving and maintaining this community facility.

Art on show

Mangawhai Artists have an exhibition of over 60 original art works in the new museum foyer, open daily until Saturday January 26 when the works will be auctioned at a gala evening. Please support this fundraising venture to enable the society to relocate the old Anglican Church (formerly Mangawhai Beach School) for use as a workshop, meeting and exhibition venue. 

All the works have been donated, and with so many talented people in our area, the selection is quite exciting. Auction night starts at 7pm, wine and nibbles available. Visit www.mangawhaiartists.co.nz for a preview!

Books galore!

Anniversary weekend delivers a one-day book fair at the museum, Saturday January 26 from 9am onward. This is a chance to snap up some good reads before the huge two-day book fair at Easter. All proceeds go to the museum development, so it is a worthwhile community event to support. The museum is being well used before the display area is developed – there’s the Gala Art Auction in the evening (mentioned above) following on from the book fair! 

The Cow Shed 

Yes, The Cow Shed. Wendy and Robert Klink’s new restaurant venture opened on January 10 with the first three nights booked out in advance. That probably tells you all you need to know. Only a 10km scenic drive from the village up to Pebblebrook Road, The Cow Shed is certainly very, very different – open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, bookings only, and when you book, you select your menu choice. Wendy, as many know, has a passion for good food with many dishes requiring lengthy, meticulous preparation and both she and Robert are determined to provide an exceptional culinary experience for their diners. Call 431 2354 or email thecowshedandshop@hotmail.co.nz.

Ewing top student

And another ‘exceptional experience’ was the 2012 prize giving at Mangawhai Beach School, where pupils and teachers alike demonstrated just how good a school can be with everyone working together. Lochie Ewing, delivered an address with a flair that marked him as the top student and the one to follow as he starts at Rodney College this year. 

Waste not, want not

Recycling facilities at Materials Processing Ltd (MPL) on Mangawhai Heads Road have been well-used over the summer break – paper, cardboard, bottles, e-waste etc. But there are still those who refuse to accept that there is a cost for disposal.

Peter Fredricsen has kindly supplied the following information and each month in this column we will follow another path of the waste stream.

In 2012 approximately 16.2 tons of paper was collected. It’s stored in an on-site container until there is an 8 ton truckload then transported to Auckland where it is sold to a company that makes pressed fibre packaging, egg cartons and apple trays. It is most important that the paper does not contain carbon or self-carboning paper as this contaminates the end product.

Cardboard is baled at the Mangawhai site (the machine alone cost $15,000) then transported to CHH Kinleith pulp mill for recycling into cardboard again.

The MPL philosophy is to sell to New Zealand re manufacturing or alternate use as much as possible, even if the commodity price is higher elsewhere, although the local price does tend to remain constant. MPL is only able to offer the low volume recycling service at Mangawhai because they have large recycling contracts with other councils and therefore have market access.

MPL is open Monday to Saturday; small charge, big service!

Did You Know…?

That Lochiel Wines has produced the first methode champenoise in Mangawhai? It’s the Lochiel 2008 blanc de blanc ‘Elizabeth’, made from the best of the chardonnay vintage and available at the cellar door, or at the Village Market on Saturday. Something very special indeed.

And at the Saturday market you will also find The Bakery selling European-style treats made by Britta – all gluten-free, and a lot dairy-free also. 

Flo’s This ‘n’ That is not only at the Saturday market, but she is also open Wednesday to Friday from 10am-5pm at 34 Pearson St. Right now, Flo has a sale on which she’d love you to know about, but her sign keeps getting vandalised.

Millar’s Swim School has been operating over the holidays in the school pool every Monday. Next lesson January 21. Give them a ring if you’d like to know more on 431 4328.

Against The Grain (Whangarei) has re-opened in Mangawhai for a short period at The Hub. There are some lovely pieces of Indonesian furniture, perfect for the Mangawhai lifestyle!